Young Ladies’ Institute Meets

The 95th convention for the Young Ladies’ Institute, a Catholic women’s organization, begins today at Ventura’s Doubletree Hotel and runs through July 1.

About 400 delegates and visitors will be greeted by DeMova Barrett of Ventura, the convention’s general chairwoman, and Maureen Wachold of Camarillo, co-chairwoman.

Established in 1887 by three young women from San Francisco, the institute’s purpose is to aid those in need, within the church and the community, Wachold said.

The group includes 10,000 Catholic women from four western states. There are chapters covering Simi Valley/Moorpark, Santa Paula, Oxnard/Camarillo and Ventura. For more information, call 484-7831.

Multifamily Garage Sale Planned

* Congregation Am Hayam of Oxnard will hold its second annual multifamily garage sale at 4930 Oceanaire St. from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 656-6634.

Bahais to Celebrate U.S. Birthday

* The Bahai community of Ventura will host a special recognition of “the nation’s 222nd birthday” Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Fillmore at Veterans’ Memorial Building.

All are welcome to attend the free commemorative event entitled “America’s Spiritual Destiny.”

The building is at 511 2nd St. For information, call the Bahai assembly secretary at 644-6809.

Oxnard Methodist Church Events

* Praise time at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Oxnard begins at 10 a.m. Sunday, followed by worship at 10:15. The Rev. Alan Gorsline’s sermon will be “Be Careful What You Ask For.”

Sunday school is on summer break until Sept. 13.

The Spanish language Sunday school begins at 1 p.m., followed by worship at 2. The Japanese language service will be held in the parlor at 2 p.m.

For information, call the church at 487-2711. St. Paul’s is at 1800 South C St.

Fellowship Plans July 4 Program

* The South Coast Fellowship in Ventura invites the public to a Fourth of July musical presentation.

“‘Heal Our Land’ is a dynamic interactive musical prayer for America,” said Mark Goeser of the fellowship.

Several contemporary Christian artists, including Rick and Cathy Riso, Jamie Owens Collins, Chuck Girard and Steve Jackson, will perform at the 6 p.m. event. The Risos will also minister at the 8 and 10 a.m. services July 5.

The fellowship is at 4050 Market St. For information, call 658-7646.

Lutheran Church Anniversary

* The Thousand Oaks Ascension Lutheran Church will celebrate 50 years of ministry in the Conejo Valley on July 5 with a special worship service beginning at 10 a.m. The community is welcome.

Special music by Ascension choirs, liturgical dance and a new golden anniversary banner will be featured.

A potluck meal and ice cream social will follow the service. This event kicks off a 10-month celebration, which will conclude in April of 1999, the month in which Ascension was organized.

The church is at 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive. For information, call 495-0406.

Church to Bless Cornerstone

* A cornerstone for a new addition to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Santa Paula will be blessed with a Mass on July 11, beginning at 10 a.m.

Father Nelson Trinidad will be joined by other priests and Bishop Thomas Curry for the ceremony.

The church was built in the 1920s through fundraising efforts and a grant from Joseph Thille. Parishioners volunteered their labor to complete the church.

The new addition will double the church’s size. It will be constructed of stone to match the existing building.

The church is at 427 N. Oak St. For information, call 525-3716.

Temple Sisterhood to Host Brunch

* Jewish Families of Camarillo, Temple Ner Ami Sisterhood, will host a brunch from 10 a.m. to noon July 12.

Jewish Families of Camarillo recently formed a sisterhood group and the brunch will provide a social setting for new members.

Members of Temple Ner Ami Sisterhood support the religious school, facilities and the temple’s programs.

Temple Ner Ami is at 4098 Calle Tesoro, No. D. To make a reservation for the brunch, call sisterhood President Jean Shev at 484-8106.

Church Plans Family Barbecues

* St. Paschal Baylon Catholic Church of Thousand Oaks will hold a summer outreach dinner and fund-raiser called “Friday Family Gourmet Barbecue” on several Friday nights on the church grounds. Everyone is welcome.

The barbecue will offer a variety of entrees and side dishes at reasonable prices, available to take out or eat on the premises. Barbecue dates are 5 to 7:30 p.m. July 17 and 31, then every Friday night through Sept. 11.

Steaks, fish and chicken dinners, hot dogs and beverages will be on the menu.

The barbecue team works in tandem with the charitable group People to People, which has served thousands of meals to local needy and homeless people.

“We hope this will encourage a return to the family meal and help raise money for, and community consciousness of, some of the outreach programs to the needy in which St. Paschal Baylon participates,” said Msgr. Joseph George, pastor.

St. Paschal Baylon is at 155 E. Janss Road. For information, call 496-0222.

Buddhists Host Obon Celebration

* The Oxnard Buddhist Church will hold its 43rd annual Obon Festival on July 18 on church grounds.

“Obon is a time for rejoicing for all Buddhists,” said the Rev. Kakei Nakagawa. The community is invited to join in the celebration and attend in kimonos, yukata or happi coats.

At this annual midsummer event, Oriental dinners and desserts will be served, Japanese art and sports will be on exhibit, and Obon dancing will begin at 6 p.m.

Taiko, or Japanese drumming groups, will perform at 3, 5 and 7 p.m. Games and prizes for youngsters will be featured throughout the festival, which runs from 1 to 9 p.m.

The church is at 250 South H St. For information on the festival, call the church at 483-5948.

*

Religion Briefs runs each Saturday. Please address items, with a publishable telephone number, to Religion Briefs, Los Angeles Times, 93 S. Chestnut St., Ventura 93001. Items may be faxed to The Times at 653-7576 or 653-7548.